Santa Rosa here in the Rio Grande Valley has a namesake in New Mexico. Santa Rosa, NM, is the county seat of Guadalupe County, another namesake also found on a county in Texas. For several years, our summer trips West have taken us through Santa Rosa, NM, where this time we had enough time to stop at the “world-famous” Blue Hole.
It was Saturday morning, and we stumbled into a scuba diving class. We knew of this sparkling blue pool in the middle of the desert, but we were not aware that it was 81 feet deep!
There is something about water in the middle of desert landscapes. It takes on a much richer blue color. It reminded me of Cabo San Lucas and why I love the ocean there so much. Maybe the desert emphasizes these blue oases to remind us of the importance of preserving our water resources. It is saying, look! Look at these life-supporting bodies! Take care of them, please.
Santa Rosa, NM, is a small community; it has few similarities to Santa Rosa in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. But it does remind me of our Valley when I see families enjoying the water park. Barbecue grills smoking and the laughter of children sliding down colorful slides on a hot Texas day.
The water park sits separate from the Blue Hole area. But close enough for people to enjoy both places. The Blue Hole has its own sitting areas, but not many in the shade. The water temperature in the hole is a refreshing 62°F (17°C), making it a desirable destination to cool off. On Saturday and Sunday mornings, the Blue Hole is closed to the general public so divers can use it safely. That helped me because I didn’t have to come up with an excuse to not go in that cooold water!
Our favorite lunch stop has become the Silver Moon Cafe of 1959. It was surprising that after a couple of days in Albuquerque, we could not find any authentic New Mexican restaurants. Not even at the Sandia Resort Casino! I found that odd. Maybe they served it at their more formal restaurants, but definitely not at their deli where they offered pizza and Chinese food. We were grateful for the Silver Moon’s Santa Fe enchiladas with Green Chile Sauce and their “pozole” side. This pozole is not the traditional pork-and-chicken soup but rather a side of hominy in tomato sauce.
Both the Blue Hole and the Silver Moon are on the original Route 66. We discovered a new mural depicting an early 20th-century diver with the gear from that era. Santa Rosa, NM, is a good stop.
With a population of 2,850, Santa Rosa, NM, offers a lot for travelers. The Route 66 Auto Museum is a favorite among travelers and a must-see, especially this year.
Are you planning a road trip to Route 66 to celebrate its 100th anniversary? I highly recommend it, especially in the fall.
I wish everybody safe and happy travels.
Wonder Far, Wander Deep.
